Recreation in Rhodes is quite popular among lovers of tourism around the world. This Greek island beckons with a variety of activities, its small size, culture and history. In this article you can find detailed information about traveling to this region, as well as reviews of tourists who have already been there.
General information
Vacations in Rhodes should be planned only by lovers of sunny weather, because most of the year people here are enveloped in solar heat. Among all the Greek islands, this one is considered the most fertile and diverse. For the most active holiday, it is better to go to the north coast, where an incredible number of tourists gather during the season. On the south side, life is calmer and more measured. You can fly here by direct flights - during the seasonal holidays, airlines launch flights to the small capital of the same name on the island. Another way could be a flight to Athens, and from there, with a transfer, you can get to Rhodes itself.
Famous resorts
For lovers of noisy and active holidays in Rhodes there is a resort called Faliraki. Here you can safely go on vacation witha big company, and it will definitely be just unforgettable. Life here does not stop around the clock, and at night it only gains momentum. Young people are guaranteed a lot of emotions, new acquaintances and sensations.
Family couples with a child settle here for the sake of a magnificent water park. The best hotels for families with children in Rhodes are located in the north of this resort. It is calmer there, because young people are concentrated in the center. It also makes sense to settle near the beaches of Kolymbia and Lindos. In the first case, travelers are guaranteed unforgettable snorkeling, and the second location is famous for its unforgettable comfort. Plus, Lindos has great tours. It is not necessary to agree to them, because you can see the most famous places on your own, just rent a transport at the hotel.
Hotels and travel
It is worth noting that renting hotels for holidays in Rhodes is not cheap enough. The infrastructure on the island is designed for generous visitors, and therefore almost all possible residences are marked with the "deluxe" class. The hotels have their own kitchen, entertainment facilities and a swimming pool on site, but the average price is about seventy euros per day. The cost of apartments starts from 40 and goes up to 125 currency units. Budget accommodations can be found, but there is a risk of poor quality service.
There are no problems with getting around the island. Luxury lovers can rent a car at the hotel for a week, which will cost them 200-300 euros. An alternative can be a taxi if you want to drive along a pre-arrangedroute. As a budget option, you can use the bus, but it will take more time. Renting bikes and motorbikes is also possible, but the former is preferable due to the sun, steep roads, and not-too-careful drivers.
Beaches and variety of establishments
Rhodes hotels for families with children, alone or with a loved one, you should choose depending on the beach. If you want to be where there are a lot of people, then Faliraki or Lindos will be a good choice. There is excellent service, clear water and developed infrastructure. It is also worth remembering the huge number of young people who are constantly having fun here.
On the east coast, the beaches are quite typical, and the west coast is a paradise for windsurfers. The most picturesque beach is Ladiko, where there are both sandy and rocky areas. It is worth noting that due to the tourist popularity in Rhodes, you can visit a wide variety of catering establishments: there are Greek taverns, English pubs, Italian restaurants and there are a lot of all this in any area of the island. Every traveler should taste fish and fresh seafood dishes here. They are the basis of the cuisine, but other dishes are also in abundance here.
First and must-see attraction
Even if you booked an all-inclusive holiday in Rhodes, you should definitely leave your hotel for sightseeing. The first of them is the harbor of Mandraki -one of the most popular on the coast. According to legend, it was here that the Colossus of Rhodes stood, which is included in the list of seven wonders of the world. It is so easy to plunge into history here that you do not even need to make an effort, it is enough to go around the harbor along the well-known kilometer route. Its beginning lies at the end of Yeru Lahu Street on the seashore. It is better to move counter-clockwise. Along this short route, you will discover various interesting places. This list includes several old churches, Freedom Square, Mandraki mills and many more. Here you can spend a huge amount of time enjoying the spirit of ancient times.
Vintage memos in all their beauty
At the end of the route along the harbor of Mandraki, during the best vacation in Rhodes, the fortress of the same name with the island will loom. It was built by knights defenders of the region in order to defend themselves from external threats. It has been perfectly preserved thanks to high-quality construction during the Middle Ages. Its length is four kilometers, and the defense function, as at that time, was simply excellent. To get inside, you will have to walk through eleven gates, which are hung with the corresponding heraldry of the defenders.
No less exciting will be the journey through the Old City, where every detail acts as a museum piece. Well preserved walls and gates in Rhodes, which were built to protect the local population. Such historical memos just need to be seen with your own eyes! Start your journey from Symi Square, see the ruins of the ancient temple of Aphrodite and move on.
The era of the knights in Rhodes
Holidays in Greece on Rhodes simply obliges tourists who love history to look into some places. One of them is the Palace of the Grand Masters, with its formidable architecture, as if immersing in times of constant battles, castles, tournaments and wars. In the fourteenth century, the fortress was built for the masters of the Order of the Hospitallers, who were then quite a significant force in Europe. Under the control of the knights were vast territories near the Mediterranean Sea, and the Palace was the place where the leaders and the Grand Master himself met. Legend has it that a temple to Helios was once erected on this site, but there is no evidence for this. Rhodes, for the military order, was an ideal strategic point, and therefore the defense of the island was at the highest level. After the order left for M alta, the island was captured by the Turks. Now it's just a magnificent historical building in which you want to spend time and look at the island from a height.
Ancient City
To make your vacation on the island of Rhodes as complete as possible, everyone should visit Lindos. This is a magnificent old city, which is already about three thousand years old. Leave here in the morning or in the evening, so that the sun does not interfere with enjoyment. The most noteworthy here is the acropolis, which is second only to the Athenian in size and grandeur. Here are the ruins of the temple of Pythian Apollo, which was built in the second century BC. Nearby you can see the Pythian stadium, where games were held in ancient Greece in honor of the godApollo, and a marble amphitheater for speakers. In Lindos, it is also worth paying attention to the well-preserved castle and the ruins of the church, built in the era of early Christianity. After that, it is worth climbing to the top point of the city to enjoy the beautiful view. Such an excursion will take half a day, but will be remembered for a long time.
Religious buildings
Holidays in Rhodes can be spent with benefit if you wish. For example, visit the Tsambika Monastery and spend some time praying to God there. In Greece, this place is famous throughout the country, but not because of history or architecture. It is within the walls of this monastery that the icon of the Virgin Mary, which is considered miraculous, is kept. All couples who experience misfortune, especially when it comes to childlessness, come here for help. Cases have been recorded when prayers really helped people.
Slightly less popular religious building is the Suleiman Mosque, built in the early 16th century, and reconstructed three hundred years later. They named it in honor of the Ottoman emperor, who annexed the island to his empire. For a long time, the troops of Suleiman could not gain a foothold in Rhodes, but still won. In honor of this, a mosque was built on the site of the ruins of the Christian Church of the Apostles.
Another piece of history
Complete the tour of historical places in Rhodes should be two places - the castle of Monolithos and the town of Kamiros. In the first case, the ruins of a once impregnable structure will open to the eyes of the traveler, which servedideal protection for the population. The castle was erected on a mountain, from where the sea was clearly visible. The sentries still saw the ships of pirates or other enemies from a distance. Walls served as excellent protection for a long time, but over time, the need to hide disappeared. No one followed the fortress, as a result of which the main part collapsed. Now tourists can only wander around the ruins, which still breathe history.
The city of Kamiros deserves attention already because it is one of the most ancient settlements in Greece. Even in the era of Antiquity, he was assigned an important role in the social life of Rhodes. Now it is an archaeological reserve, which is visited by tourists from all over the world. Anyone can touch the times of myths and brave heroes here.
Nature reserves
If you spend holidays in Rhodes with children, then you should definitely visit the Valley of the Butterflies. This truly unique reserve is located 30 kilometers from the capital. The name does not convey the true essence of the area. In fact, this is not a valley, but a narrow zone along the gorge and up to the very top of the hill. Life here is in full swing thanks to the many different butterflies of all kinds. Local rivers and lakes create a favorable microclimate for their development and reproduction. Walking here will be a pleasant entertainment not only in aesthetic terms - the air is filled with vanilla smell, and together with odorous resins it creates the impression of living and real nature in the park.
Another great place is the landscape park Rodini, which was founded by the Romans. This is one of the mostold reserves on the planet. Personalities such as Cicero and Julius Caesar once roamed the area. Wildlife with different plants and animals is present in the reserve.
Positive feedback
Positive reviews about holidays in Rhodes mark the diversity of the nature of the island in the eyes of tourists. You can't see everything in one go. People report great beaches and friendly people in hotels as well as cafes and restaurants. Some travelers note that they have become almost family after meeting in the same tavern. Problems with entertainment never arise, except with the choice of options. The resorts for young people are provided with a developed infrastructure with the ability to have fun day and night. For lovers of history, there is simply an incredible number of memos from different eras, which of them can be spent weeks and time will not seem enough. Rhodes with its diversity can easily become a home for many people. History, wildlife, beautiful beaches and resorts - all this is noted by a huge number of people in the comments about the vacation.
A bit of negativity
It's fair to say that tourists have noticed negative reviews about holidays in Rhodes. There are fewer of them than positive ones, but some points are worth noting. First of all, this concerns prices, which are often inflated for tourists. Often the cost in stores is not set, and the price for entry in some places is invented from the head. The traffic here is unpleasantly striking - drivers are not embarrassed by UNESCO protected areas,there are no traffic rules for them here.
Also in Rhodes there is a chance to encounter bad service. If you order apartments in little-known hotels, you may encounter, for example, poor cleaning. Travelers are warned about the possibility of checking into a room that is just shown in the photo from a good angle.
It is recommended to rent vehicles only in hotels due to possible car breakdowns on the way.
